#FIUCARTALOVE

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of those who lend a helping hand and share their love with one another. At FIU CARTA, we honor our alumni, faculty, and supporters who continually show their love for our students and community. Check out the links below to read about FIU alumni who found all sorts of love at FIU, share your own FIU love story, and download FIU-themed Valentines to send or post. Honor a loved one, honor your beloved CARTA.

“Roses are red, violets are blue
Here is a Valentine from FIU to you
From GC to Panther Square to Parkview Hall
You’ve lived here, and loved there, been a Panther through it all
Warm days at the lake, cold ones in your dorm
Watching Golden Dazzlers, HEARTbeats and the band perform
Cheering on the team with Roary nearby
The high-fives and hugs during your graduation goodbye

There’s so much to recall, reminisce, and explore
The memories and moments – the ones that meant more
So send your loved one a card, a post, or a tweet
You can be heartfelt or clever or sweet

A message to your boyfriend, a best friend, a wife:
Remind them that Panthers are Panthers for life.”

Stories of FIU Love

I met Elizabeth in 2012 while attending a Phi-Alpha-Delta pre-law fraternity rush event. From the moment I saw her, I knew I had to try. She was small, cute, reserved, and had determination like no other. Our first date (if I can even call it that?) was during the same year. I had won tickets at FIU to the Coconut Grove Improv and told her that after inviting all of my friends, I didn’t know if anyone could make it. Well, eventually she found out I had no guts and lied. She was the only person I ever asked. After telling me no, she eventually changed her mind and offered to go as my friend. Long story short, I didn’t bring enough money to pay for both of us, it was incredibly awkward, and she didn’t want to date me. She rejected me at least 3 more times throughout the year with each of my attempts being at pathetic as the first. However, my determination never withered! Eventually she said yes and we fell in love. Elizabeth is the first person I ever left the country with. We traveled to Costa Rica, Hawaii, California, and Australia. While in Hawaii, I found the perfect opportunity to propose! (See picture). We were Mocktrial partners and competed in National competitions together before starting to date. She often attended tailgates with me and resisted my attempts to make-a-move! As of August, we both started graduate school together at FIU; her law school and me a Masters. FIU gave me the opportunity to meet people outside of my culture. I am the first person to have ever dated and now having gotten engaged to someone from a different ethnic group. She has opened my eyes to a whole new world in more ways than one!

Jose and I met in school at FIU CARTA Landscape Program. In 2010, we both started at the same time in the 3 year track graduate program and in the same class. In our second year, Fall semester, our studio did a class trip to the Dominican Republic. A few friends and classmates decided to go a few days earlier and stay at an all-inclusive. Slowly feelings began to rise.

Few days later we met the rest of our class in Santo Domingo. Few of us decided to go out around the city, dancing and some bar hoping. As the night goes by, Jose had asked me to dance Bachata. At that moment I decided to make my move, a kiss on his neck. (I may have gotten a little help from a few Cuba Libre’s)

Few days go by throughout the trip and the tension and connection between us grew. Finally our last night found ourselves once again dancing in Santo Domingo, middle of the dance floor we kissed for the first time. Since that night we have always been together.

Shareable FIU Valentines

Download the e-Valentines below and share them via social media to show your partner, friends, family, and co-workers how much you care!